Study Notes on Disasters - Environment & Pollution for UGC NET EXAM 2023

By Mohit Choudhary|Updated : March 4th, 2023

In this article, we will be discussing an important topic "Disasters" which is asked in Environment & Pollution unit for UGC NET EXAM 2023. Disaster is an essential topic which finds a place in the UGC NET Paper I exam. The Environment & Pollution unit has 5 Questions, out of which 1 question is asked from Disasters. Let's start with the meaning of Disasters along with the important types.

 

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Disasters: Meaning & Types

1. Meaning of Disasters:

A disaster is a sudden, calamitous event that disrupts the functioning of a community, region, or society which causes human, material, as well as economic or environmental losses and impacts. In contemporary literature, disasters are seen as a result of poor risk management with respect to environmental hazards and vulnerability. People who experience or live through a disaster can suffer from emotional, psychological and physical distress.

Broadly, disasters can be classified into two types: Natural disasters and Man-made disasters. Natural as well as human-made disasters affect many lives each year.

2. Natural Disasters & Mitigation Strategies:

A natural disaster is caused through natural factors or phenomenon that causes injury and loss to human life. The rapid growth of population and increased concentration of human life in a natural environment has intensified the frequency and severity of such disasters. Some other recognized factors are deforestation, climate change, unplanned growth, unstable landforms, etc. Some of the natural disasters include:

  • Earthquake: An earthquake is the shifting of earth plates that result in tremors ranging from few seconds to minutes. Within seconds, mild tremors can turn violent and cause hazards to human life. An earthquake can be tectonic (plates), volcanic (volcano), collapse (mining) and explosion (missile testing). Mitigation measures in case of the earthquake should be to shut off utilities and evacuation of buildings. Building earthquake resistant buildings can also be effective for low-frequency earthquakes.

  • Cyclone: A cyclone is a violent tropical storm often seen as a group of gusty winds that rotates about the centre of low atmospheric pressure, which moves, at a speed of twenty to thirty miles. Mitigation measures include following the evacuation plan, gathering emergency supplies in advance, avoiding driving and walking etc.

  • Volcano: A volcano is the rupture of a planetary-mass object that allows lava, ash, steam and hot gases to come out. Mitigation measures include avoiding potential active volcanic regions for building houses, preparing emergency evacuation plans, wearing goggles and sunglasses in case volcanoes are in proximity, staying indoors if ash has not settled etc.

  • Drought: A drought occurs when there is a lack or no rains for an extended period of time resulting in water shortage, crop damage, depletion of groundwater. It usually takes place slowly and continues over months. Droughts are triggered by deforestation, global warming, or by diverting rivers. Mitigation plans include accurate prediction, monitoring, impact assessment response in the form of better water management and conservation.
  • Flood: A flood occurs when a river or a large amount of rainfall overflows into dry land. Floods are one of the most common natural disasters in many countries including India. It is often caused by heavy rainfall, overflowing of man-made dams, tropical cyclone etc. Mitigation measures include prediction, monitoring, shut down of electricity, following evacuation plans etc.

  • Tsunami: Most Tsunamis are caused by a large-scale earthquake occurring on the sea floor causing the sea water to violent move to the land. This can be caused by an unwater landslide as well. Mitigation strategies for tsunami include community preparedness, timely warnings, and effective response.

  • Wild Fires: A wildfire can happen in forests, vegetation, hills, etc. Lightening, burning campfires, or cigarettes, hot winds, and even the sun can cause ignite a wildfire. Precautionary measures include protecting building areas from wildfires, periodic inspection of houses in forests etc.

  • Landslides: Landslide is the movement of a mass rock, debris, or earth down a mountain slope under the direct influence of gravity. There can be geological, morphological and physical factors that can cause landslides. Mitigation strategies include proper inspection of landslide-prone areas and sharing warning signs.

3. Man Made Disasters & Preventive Measures

Man-made disasters are caused by unchecked human actions that are hazardous for the environment and human life. In most of the cases, human-induced disasters are the result of excessive use of technology. War and attacks can also be put into the category of man-made disasters. Man-made disasters are also called as anthropogenic hazards. These adversely affect humans and other organisms.

Man-made disasters include industrial accident and C.B.R. (Chemical, Biological and radiological) accidents, transport accidents, and pollution-related disasters.

1. Industrial Disasters: Industrial accidents can be of two forms viz. fire and explosion.

  • Fire: Fire can occur in urban as well as rural areas and the reasons are diverse. In case of fires, certain intervention methods are needed depending upon the cause of the incident itself. The cause can be material that triggers fires and meteorological conditions (wind). For mitigating fires, buildings should have fire evacuation plans should, alarm (security) and fire-prevention equipment should be in place and firemen squad should be properly trained.

  • Explosion: Explosive devices and material are highly portable owing to the use of technology. Explosives can easily be blasted from remote locations as well as suicide bombers. Explosions can be very destructive for the property as well as human life. There are some steps that can be taken before, during and after the explosion to mitigate the risk. This includes the supply of emergency kits, evacuation plans, reporting suspicious belonging in public places, avoiding touching and sniffing suspicious material etc.

2. C.B.R Disasters: This includes chemical, biological and radiological accidents occurring in any area. Types of CBR are:

  • Chemical disasters: Chemical substances can be highly dangerous to man and the environment. It occurs due to an unintentional release of harmful gas into the environment. The Bhopal Gas Tragedy is was one such chemical accident and considered to be the worst accident till date. Mitigation measures for chemical disasters include good knowledge of industry related hazard documents, preparation of emergency plans, skilled personnel, and regulatory bodies.


  • Biological disasters: Biological disasters can occur in the form of an epidemic or pandemic. For such disasters, the origin or cause is organic matter and is conveyed by biological vectors. Epidemic such as Cholera, Plague, affect disproportionately large populations within a specific location or region. Whereas pandemic is the epidemic that spreads across a large region e.g. Swine Flu. Biological disasters can be avoided by maintaining personal hygiene, community sanitation, health education, first aid and CPR training, insurance plans etc.

 

  • Radiological disasters: The use of nuclear energy for power generation, medicine, industry, agriculture, defence purposes has made us vulnerable to radiological disasters also. India has been considered more vulnerable in this regard given its climate conditions. Mitigation strategies include preparedness for radiological emergencies, radiation surveys, assessment of wind, weather, preventive equipment at designated places, training of personnel etc.

Thanks, we hope you learnt about Disasters for UGC NET EXAM 2023.

Score Better. 

Team BYJU'S Exam Prep.

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